Scenic Forest Road Drive to Billings Lake in Colorado: River, Campsites, Fall Colors, Mountain Views

Join me (David), as I take you on a solo off-road journey through the stunning landscapes of Colorado in my Jeep Gladiator and with my trusty Husky, Blue, by my side.

This adventure starts near the quaint town of Maysville, Colorado, leading us on a 2-hour journey to and from the serene Billings Lake. The drive itself follows the scenic North Fork of the South Arkansas River, where the trail offers breathtaking views of mountain vistas and the golden hues of fall aspens at their peak in late September 2024.

As we navigated through this less-traveled path, the trail was lined with potential camping spots that looked perfect for those looking to immerse in nature. The highlight of the drive was undoubtedly reaching Billings Lake, nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by towering mountains. The lake's calm waters reflected the vibrant fall colors, creating a truly mesmerizing scene.

Although I missed spotting the historical old mine or tunnel that is near the lake (definitely going back for that), the journey was filled with natural beauty and solitude. This drive was not just about the destination but the spectacular journey through Colorado's backcountry, showcasing why this trail is a gem for off-road enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:25 Starting down the trail
6:11 Checking out an awesome campsite next to river
6:46 Yellow aspen trees everywhere
9:53 Beautiful mountain scenery
10:21 Talking about the trail and other Colorado trails
11:01 The views from this trail are crazy
12:46 More info on the trail and talking about viewer comments on 4x4 trails
16:25 Trail progress update and video of the North Fork of the South Arkansas River
17:22 Gladiator/vehicle configuration (tire psi, etc)
18:27 Getting close to end of trail and hitting a fork in the road
21:09 Altitude near end of trail and storm approaching
22:36 Reaching Billings Lake
25:01: Video of Billings Lake
26:58 Outro